Scout Team Rumble

The Rebels concluded open week practices with a scout team scrimmage that produced a lot of hard hitting and fun for those who sometimes don't have much.

With most of the coaches out of town recruiting, Defensive Coordinator Dave Wommack and Tight Ends Coach Maurice Harris orchestrated a 30-minute service team scrimmage to end the open week practices.

"Both our scout teams have given us tremendous looks this fall so far," said Wommack. "They take pride in what they are doing and don't get to play on Saturday's most of the time.

"The scrimmage was a lot of fun for them. They were excited and they had some good work out there. Who knows? Maybe one of two of them will show up enough to get on a special team or something. I thought Ontario Berry (junior DB) and Carlos Davis (frosh RB/WR) did some good things."

There was some heavy hitting going on from both sides of the ball. DE/LB Temario Strong laid the lumber several times. Barry also had some good hits.

"They popping some pads out there. They were turning loose. It was good to see their enthusiasm and passion for the game," Dave noted.

Wommack said he got done what he wanted to during the open week practices from a defensive standpoint.

"I can't speak for the offense, but we got good work this week. We got nearly 100 reps on Arkansas, which is a good start," he noted. "We don't have our plan finalized, but we have a good idea what we want to do and we've had some extra time to study what we want to do.

Temario StrongFile Photo

"Of course, they have had extra time too, so it's apples to apples, but I like getting a jump on next week. It was also a good time for some of our guys to heal up this week. Seven games in, you are going to have bumps and bruises and cuts. I think it's good to rest and get away for a day or two. It's a quick two days, but it's time away, which they need."

Wommack said the goal for next week is to put together that elusive four-quarter, three-unit game.

"We have continued to progress and get better, but I still don't think we have put together that complete game - offense, defense and special teams for 60 minutes," he explained.

Random Notes:

* Temario Strong is a football player. It has not been determined where he will play, but mark this down, he will play somewhere. He's physical, extremely physical, and he has a nose for the ball. It appeared he knocked one ballcarrier into Saturday on one play. He got dogpiled by South Panola teammate Issac Gross after the crushing blow. It's going to be fun watching Strong in spring football. He's a very disruptive player. Think "headhunter."

* Carlos Davis, a true freshman RB/WR from Birmingham, AL, has excellent speed. He goes from 0-60, so to speak, very quickly and seems to have some moves in the open field. The coaches feel he will help this team down the road after a year or so in the weight room, at least on special teams.

Carlos ThompsonFile Photo

* DE Carlos Thompson, redshirting this year, also made a couple of plays behind the line of scrimmage, as did redshirt DE Kameron Wood. Carlos has filled out, as we noted in a practice report earlier this week, and the extra weight has helped him hold up against the run and in beating offensive linemen.

* Redshirt OT Robert Conyers also showed why OL Coach Matt Luke is high on him. He needs this year in the weight room, but he's got good feet and has a little bit of a mean streak in him. Reminds one of a young Pierce Burton in a lot of ways, just not as mature yet.

* Berry, who Wommack mentioned, had a couple of big hits on TB Devin Thomas, even though he is giving up 25 pounds to the senior runner. Berry is not afraid to mix it up, that's clear.

* QB Maihkail Miller didn't get a lot of reps, but he did score the lone TD for the offense on a 4-yard run. He's a bull and S&C Coach Paul Jackson said he's already, pound-for-pound, one of the strongest players on the team.

* The scout team scrimmage was definitely no going-through-the-motions exercise. They played it like it was their Sugar Bowl and the regulars who were watching were into it as well. Fun half-hour.